Dad just got flew to Portugal on someone elses passport!
Discussion
ol said:
My Dad is getting old. So old, in fact, that while packing to go to Portugal last Friday, he managed to pick up my brothers passport instead of his own.
So he flew from East Midlands to Faro, and only realised that he had taken the wrong one when he sat down on the plane! He is 56, my brother is 24.
So I guess people up to at least 24 will read this and think 'senile old git shouldn't be allowed out on his own ..', but there must be some age point that is reached where the reader finds the inference that 56 is too old to be in charge of a passport somewhat offensive.. I would suggest at least people of 45+? I wonder where that age-point pivot is?So he flew from East Midlands to Faro, and only realised that he had taken the wrong one when he sat down on the plane! He is 56, my brother is 24.
because no (say, hung-over) 24 year old would ever make such a mistake ... (not that I'm suggesting that your father was, or indeed ever has been, hungover.)
ol said:
My Dad is getting old. So old, in fact, that while packing to go to Portugal last Friday, he managed to pick up my brothers passport instead of his own.
So he flew from East Midlands to Faro, and only realised that he had taken the wrong one when he sat down on the plane! He is 56, my brother is 24. They don't look alike.
This means that he went through check in, passport control and boarding, all with someone elses passport. He then managed to get through the passport checks in Faro with no problems either.
My mum just sent his real passport over recorded delivery for his return home, but I am astounded that not one person throughout the chain picked up on this!
When he return he is going to try coming into the country on my brothers passport (with his real one readily available) and will consider going to the papers. This shouldn't have happened, and even though it was HIS mistake, he is appalled that he got through.
So your Dad is willing to knowingly commit a crime to then tell the papers, and he's not even a journalist. And the papers would most likely ignore him and he'd be sent to a Portuguese jail for a few days whilst they sort it all out.So he flew from East Midlands to Faro, and only realised that he had taken the wrong one when he sat down on the plane! He is 56, my brother is 24. They don't look alike.
This means that he went through check in, passport control and boarding, all with someone elses passport. He then managed to get through the passport checks in Faro with no problems either.
My mum just sent his real passport over recorded delivery for his return home, but I am astounded that not one person throughout the chain picked up on this!
When he return he is going to try coming into the country on my brothers passport (with his real one readily available) and will consider going to the papers. This shouldn't have happened, and even though it was HIS mistake, he is appalled that he got through.
Hmmm, I'm now beginning to understand how he forgot hios own passport in the first place!
shakotan said:
beanbag said:
I didn't think a passport was needed to travel into the EU?
Although I always carry mine, I don't think I've shown it to anyone within the EU for about 3 years now!
Its not required for travel WITHIN the Schengen Area ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area) between those countries who signed the Schengen Agreement, which we are not part of!Although I always carry mine, I don't think I've shown it to anyone within the EU for about 3 years now!
Edited by shakotan on Tuesday 31st March 16:08
Edited by shakotan on Tuesday 31st March 16:10
Classic.
My Dad used to travel to the US a lot on business, ie. 24 times a year.
He was ear marked by security initially for making frequent trips but once his company registered or whatever they need to do, all was well.
However, on one occasion, he returned to the UK and for some reason, he was still registered as being in the US.
No problem really, until he landed at Washington Dulles Airport where they stated he is already in the country.
This followed by hours of questioning, realisation by the officials that it was a clerical error and predictably, no apology for his missed meetings.
My Dad used to travel to the US a lot on business, ie. 24 times a year.
He was ear marked by security initially for making frequent trips but once his company registered or whatever they need to do, all was well.
However, on one occasion, he returned to the UK and for some reason, he was still registered as being in the US.
No problem really, until he landed at Washington Dulles Airport where they stated he is already in the country.
This followed by hours of questioning, realisation by the officials that it was a clerical error and predictably, no apology for his missed meetings.
oyster said:
ol said:
My Dad is getting old. So old, in fact, that while packing to go to Portugal last Friday, he managed to pick up my brothers passport instead of his own.
So he flew from East Midlands to Faro, and only realised that he had taken the wrong one when he sat down on the plane! He is 56, my brother is 24. They don't look alike.
This means that he went through check in, passport control and boarding, all with someone elses passport. He then managed to get through the passport checks in Faro with no problems either.
My mum just sent his real passport over recorded delivery for his return home, but I am astounded that not one person throughout the chain picked up on this!
When he return he is going to try coming into the country on my brothers passport (with his real one readily available) and will consider going to the papers. This shouldn't have happened, and even though it was HIS mistake, he is appalled that he got through.
So your Dad is willing to knowingly commit a crime to then tell the papers, and he's not even a journalist. And the papers would most likely ignore him and he'd be sent to a Portuguese jail for a few days whilst they sort it all out.So he flew from East Midlands to Faro, and only realised that he had taken the wrong one when he sat down on the plane! He is 56, my brother is 24. They don't look alike.
This means that he went through check in, passport control and boarding, all with someone elses passport. He then managed to get through the passport checks in Faro with no problems either.
My mum just sent his real passport over recorded delivery for his return home, but I am astounded that not one person throughout the chain picked up on this!
When he return he is going to try coming into the country on my brothers passport (with his real one readily available) and will consider going to the papers. This shouldn't have happened, and even though it was HIS mistake, he is appalled that he got through.
Hmmm, I'm now beginning to understand how he forgot hios own passport in the first place!
Passports are only checked for basic details by Airport security and Airlines at the moment. Later this year, outbound border controls are being brought back by the Gov through UK Borders (Immigration & Customs) to fully check passport holder and personal details as they do on the inbound leg.
Mainly to watch out for overstayers/those acting outside of their visas and for security because they can't trust private security companies and airlines to do it.
Mainly to watch out for overstayers/those acting outside of their visas and for security because they can't trust private security companies and airlines to do it.
crofty1984 said:
shakotan said:
beanbag said:
I didn't think a passport was needed to travel into the EU?
Although I always carry mine, I don't think I've shown it to anyone within the EU for about 3 years now!
Its not required for travel WITHIN the Schengen Area ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area) between those countries who signed the Schengen Agreement, which we are not part of!Although I always carry mine, I don't think I've shown it to anyone within the EU for about 3 years now!
Edited by shakotan on Tuesday 31st March 16:08
Edited by shakotan on Tuesday 31st March 16:10
But many EU countries do require proof of ID for random checks and they certainly do for flying.
report it. keep them on their toes. otherwise the next 9/11 incedent could be all down to your Dad.
obviously being a little facisious. (spelling)
But there is a point. They MUST check the passport belongs to the person presenting it otherwise ALL the other security systems are invalidated.
obviously being a little facisious. (spelling)
But there is a point. They MUST check the passport belongs to the person presenting it otherwise ALL the other security systems are invalidated.
Tony*T3 said:
report it. keep them on their toes. otherwise the next 9/11 incedent could be all down to your Dad.
obviously being a little facisious. (spelling)
But there is a point. They MUST check the passport belongs to the person presenting it otherwise ALL the other security systems are invalidated.
Exactly my point.obviously being a little facisious. (spelling)
But there is a point. They MUST check the passport belongs to the person presenting it otherwise ALL the other security systems are invalidated.
Not sure if I missed it in the thread but do they have the same name (the Father and Brother)? Don't they normally swipe the passport at checkin these days, regardless of the father not looking like the photo in the passport surely the name would have been flagged (that is if the name was different).
Incidentally I flew into Southampton airport last Friday and security was very tight (G20 related I assume). There was the normal guy at the desk checking passports, a guy looking over his shoulder and then another two guys behind them. So I would guess it wouldn't be a good idea to try testing the system in the run up to a G20 summit.
Incidentally I flew into Southampton airport last Friday and security was very tight (G20 related I assume). There was the normal guy at the desk checking passports, a guy looking over his shoulder and then another two guys behind them. So I would guess it wouldn't be a good idea to try testing the system in the run up to a G20 summit.
Your Dad obviously looks very benign!
I would advise against travelling on a false passport knowingly and then producing the correct one, when discovered. It will serve to annoy people and why bother?
If you did that to me, as a passport checker, I would take you to one side, for several hours, to try and teach you not to be so cocky in future.
I would advise against travelling on a false passport knowingly and then producing the correct one, when discovered. It will serve to annoy people and why bother?
If you did that to me, as a passport checker, I would take you to one side, for several hours, to try and teach you not to be so cocky in future.
minerva said:
Your Dad obviously looks very benign!
I would advise against travelling on a false passport knowingly and then producing the correct one, when discovered. It will serve to annoy people and why bother?
If you did that to me, as a passport checker, I would take you to one side, for several hours, to try and teach you not to be so cocky in future.
Are you a passport checker?I would advise against travelling on a false passport knowingly and then producing the correct one, when discovered. It will serve to annoy people and why bother?
If you did that to me, as a passport checker, I would take you to one side, for several hours, to try and teach you not to be so cocky in future.
Got a question if so.....
Puggit said:
crofty1984 said:
shakotan said:
beanbag said:
I didn't think a passport was needed to travel into the EU?
Although I always carry mine, I don't think I've shown it to anyone within the EU for about 3 years now!
Its not required for travel WITHIN the Schengen Area ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area) between those countries who signed the Schengen Agreement, which we are not part of!Although I always carry mine, I don't think I've shown it to anyone within the EU for about 3 years now!
Edited by shakotan on Tuesday 31st March 16:08
Edited by shakotan on Tuesday 31st March 16:10
But many EU countries do require proof of ID for random checks and they certainly do for flying.
Edited by Twincharged on Wednesday 1st April 12:46
If he uses his real one to get home though, there wont be a record of him being anywhere than the UK, (ie it was not scanned out at the airport) so they will "glove up" and check him thoroughly.
It's not all bad news though, they should be able to give him the all clear on his prostrate once done!!
It's not all bad news though, they should be able to give him the all clear on his prostrate once done!!
silver.fox.2008 said:
I'm generally guessing your father didn't fit the description of a 'terrorist'. Probably why they weren't so bothered.
I'd guess they weren't bothered because they genuinely didn't notice.When things like this happen it rather makes a mockery of the entire "all liquids in clear plastic bags" performance we go through... nobody minds if it makes us safer... but not to notice a passport error at a) check-in, b) security to airside, c) boarding..... is rather worrying.
parakitaMol. said:
silver.fox.2008 said:
I'm generally guessing your father didn't fit the description of a 'terrorist'. Probably why they weren't so bothered.
I'd guess they weren't bothered because they genuinely didn't notice.When things like this happen it rather makes a mockery of the entire "all liquids in clear plastic bags" performance we go through... nobody minds if it makes us safer... but not to notice a passport error at a) check-in, b) security to airside, c) boarding..... is rather worrying.
Maybe it's time that they stopped the ridiculous rules about liquids and shoes, and start actually checking people are using the correct passports.
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